Sunday Observer
Savings for Future: building resilience among small-scale fish processors
Women who dry and process fish carry much of the risk in coastal economies. This project helps them save, plan for climate shocks and earn more from what they make.
- Where
- Kudawella (Tangalle), Negombo and Ambalangoda
- When
- 2024
- Who
- Women small-scale fish processors
- Led by
- Department of Agribusiness Management, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
- Funded by
- Australia Awards Sri Lanka, small grant scheme
- Forum’s role
- Community engagement and links with local fishing communities
Savings for Future aims to strengthen the resilience and financial wellbeing of women fish processors by promoting climate resilience, financial inclusion and sustainable livelihoods.
A series of capacity-building workshops introduces participants to a mobile savings application, built for the project, and builds their knowledge of:
- climate change impacts and adaptation
- financial literacy and access to formal financial institutions
- alternative livelihoods and value addition
- safety and quality in fish processing
- market creation and entrepreneurship
The forum supports the project by facilitating engagement with the communities and strengthening collaboration with local fisheries organisations. Together, the partners aim to give women fish processors the knowledge, skills and financial tools to build resilient livelihoods.
Workshop programme in Kudawella
| 9.00 to 9.30 | Introduction to the project and results of the scoping studySenior Prof. Achini De Silva, Sabaragamuwa University |
|---|---|
| 9.30 to 12.00 | Climate change impact, resilience building and the need for climate financeEmeritus Prof. Oscar Amarasinghe, Ocean University of Sri Lanka; Mr. Upul Liyanage, NARA |
| 1.00 to 2.30 | Introducing the savings mechanism and linking participants with financial institutionsMr. Eranga Bandara, app developer; Mr. B. S. Sandaruwan, Sanasa Development Bank, Ambalantota |
| 2.30 to 3.00 | Questions and answers |
| 9.00 to 12.00 | Financial inclusion through alternative livelihoods: fish processing, value addition and quality and safety managementMr. Niroshan Jayasooriya, Sabaragamuwa University |
|---|---|
| 1.00 to 2.30 | Market creation, financial literacy and financial entrepreneurshipSenior Prof. Achini De Silva, Sabaragamuwa University; Prof. Nilantha De Silva, University of Ruhuna |
| 2.30 to 3.00 | Questions and answers |
Pink Fish
Processors in Kudawella sell under their own brand, Pink Fish: Women Crafting Ocean Treasures, through the Ruhunu Shakthi organisation. The range includes dried fish, karawala sambol, Maldive fish chips, ambul thiyal and curry cubes, sold at local fairs.
Adding value this way lets processors earn more from the same catch and sell beyond the landing site.
From the workshops
In the press